“Bangala” Symbol Analysis

The English-speaking characters in Poisonwood learn a number of Congolese words, such as “bangala.” But “bangala” can mean two different, even opposite things: pronounced one way, it means “good,” but pronounced slightly differently, it means “poisonwood.” Thus, when Nathan Price preaches to the Congolese, he inadvertently makes them think that Jesus is a dangerous person. In this way, “bangala” is a symbol for the cultural barriers between all people, and of how easily even well-intentioned imperialism and “missionary work” can be twisted into cruelty.